The Entertainment Industry in Turmoil: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top

Chapter 87 If you can't lead a team, you'll work yourself to death [Fifth update] Requesting first subscription.

Several big shots came from afar, so in order not to neglect them, Liu Junjie rescheduled the evening's filming to other supporting actors.

Shen Mo and Li Yitong accompanied Lei Jun, Wang Xin, and Zhang Yiming to a simple business dinner.

During the gathering, the atmosphere was harmonious, and forward-looking discussions were held on topics such as the future trends of mobile internet and the integration of content ecosystem and technology.

After the meal, and after seeing the bigwigs off, Shen Mo and Li Yitong rode in the same car back to the hotel where the film crew was staying.

Out of consideration for avoiding any appearance of impropriety in the entertainment industry, the two stayed in separate hotel rooms, although both were on the same floor.

They returned to their rooms, washing away their fatigue and the smell of smoke and alcohol from their social engagements.

Shen Mo changed into comfortable pajamas, leaned back on the sofa and dealt with a few emails, but his mind was somewhat wandering.

He glanced at the time, thinking that since there were no night shoots scheduled for today, Li Yitong would, as usual, find an excuse to sneak over and stay for a while.

However, after waiting for a long time, the door remained quiet.

He frowned slightly, recalling how, during the dinner party that evening, although she was all smiles, a hint of weariness was unmistakable between her brows.

After hesitating for a moment, he got up, took out the spare room key from the next room from the drawer, and walked over quietly.

Only one floor lamp was lit in the suite, casting a warm yellow light.

After washing up, Li Yitong was wearing a soft silk nightgown, her face bare, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses that she rarely wore.

She sat cross-legged on the thick carpet, leaning slightly forward, with thick reports of the production crew's expenses and budget execution documents spread out on the coffee table.

There was a laptop with its screen lit up next to me, and a half-finished, now-cold cup of coffee beside it.

She was completely absorbed in watching, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, a pen between her fingers, occasionally jotting notes on the document, unaware of his arrival.

Shen Mo felt a slight pang in his heart, a delicate ache rising within him.

He walked over quietly, sat down beside her, and said nothing.

He simply reached out, gently yet firmly taking the pen from her hand, then gently closed the open document and pushed it aside.

Li Yitong then realized what was happening and abruptly raised her head.

A hint of bewilderment flickered in his eyes behind his glasses, but as soon as he recognized him, that bewilderment quickly transformed into a tender dependence.

"Why did you come here?"

Her voice was slightly relaxed and a little hoarse, as if she had just taken a shower.

"You don't need to work so hard."

Shen Mo stretched out his arms and gently pulled her into his embrace.

"The reason I assigned Chen Zhixi to you as executive producer was to lighten your workload."

His movements were gentle, carrying an irresistible warmth.

Li Yitong's body stiffened slightly at first, then she completely relaxed.

She nestled obediently into his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest, and could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

The faint scent of her shower gel mingled with his crisp, masculine aroma, dispelling the coldness emanating from the surrounding documents.

"Even if you care a lot, Zhixi should still go through these reports. You can just check them occasionally; you don't need to do everything yourself."

Shen Mo gently rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low and filled with disapproving yet tender.

Li Yitong snuggled closer to him, finding a more comfortable position, and mumbled softly.

"My Love from the Star is our first major project, and it's also the flagship project of Mohen."

"I need to keep an eye on things myself to feel at ease—besides, I can't always rely on you."

That last sentence carried a hint of barely perceptible stubbornness.

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo tightened his grip on her arm, his heart softening completely.

He knew she was strong-willed and understood that she wanted to prove her worth, not just to be under his wing.

"I know," he murmured with a sigh.

"But don't overwork yourself."

"Have you forgotten that very famous book?"

"If you can't lead a team, you'll work yourself to death!"

His warm palms gently stroked her long hair that cascaded down her back, his fingertips weaving through the strands, bringing a drowsy and comfortable sensation.

"After I handed the task over to Zhao Feng and the others, did I interfere too much?"

"Trust those you employ, and do not employ those you distrust."

"If you do too much, Zhixi might think you don't trust her."

Li Yitong pouted slightly and rolled her eyes at Shen Mo.

She said reproachfully, "Alright, alright, boss, I've never led a team before, this is my first official job."

"You can teach me more later, let's not talk about this now, let me hug you for a while."

After saying that, Li Yitong squinted her eyes comfortably, like a cat being stroked.

She took a deep, greedy breath in Shen Mo's arms, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to slowly dissipate.

The breathing in his arms gradually became even and long, carrying the warmth of the fresh scent after a bath, gently brushing against Shen Mo's neck.

He looked down and saw that Li Yitong had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms at some point.

Long eyelashes cast soft shadows under the eyelids, and the usually lively crescent-shaped eyes were now quietly closed.

However, there seemed to be a trace of fatigue still lingering between his brows.

Shen Mo's heart felt as if it were being gently brushed by the softest feather. He stretched out his fingers and very lightly and slowly stroked her slightly furrowed brows, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

Images from a few days ago involuntarily surfaced in my mind; she was radiant on set as she completed her filming.

After finishing work, she would go to his room, linger there for a while with a smile, and talk about trivial and amusing things, as if she had endless energy.

Looking back now, behind that forced spirit was the mental strain of facing the mountain of reports and budgets alone in my room late at night under a solitary lamp.

To avoid worrying him, she kept her hardships hidden so deeply.

How much indomitable stubbornness and perseverance is hidden in this seemingly petite body that needs to be cared for?

Shen Mo silently watched her peaceful sleeping face, a mixture of heartache, pride and a little self-reproach churning in his chest.

Perhaps he should have realized it sooner, perhaps—

He shouldn't have agreed to let her take on the heavy responsibility of being a producer in the first place; he should have just let her be a girl under his protection.

The thought flashed through his mind for only a moment before he suppressed it.

He understood her; he knew she longed to prove her worth and to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

It was this understanding that made his heartache even more intense at this moment.

He carefully adjusted his posture, moving as gently as if handling a rare treasure, and then slowly stood up.

He held the sleeping girl firmly in his arms; she was so light that she seemed as if she might vanish at any moment.

He walked steadily toward the bedroom, gently placed her on the soft bed, and pulled the thin blanket over her shoulders.

Li Yitong unconsciously smacked her lips in her sleep, turned over to find a more comfortable position, and continued to sleep soundly.

Shen Mo gazed quietly by the bed for a moment, the neon lights outside casting a hazy glow on her face through the gaps in the curtains.

He leaned down and placed a very light kiss on her smooth forehead.

The kiss was light, yet it carried all his unspoken heartache, admiration, and deep love.

Then, he went around to the other side of the bed, lay down gently, and stretched out his arm to pull the girl's soft body back into his embrace.

In her sleep, Li Yitong seemed to feel a familiar presence and a comforting warmth. Unconsciously, she snuggled closer to him and let out a soft, contented hum.

Shen Mo tightened his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and closed his eyes.

The room fell completely silent, with only the sound of their steady breathing mingling together.